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28 June 2021

Understanding influenza and the flu vaccine

What is the flu (influenza)?

The flu is NOT the common cold. The influenza virus is a serious and contagious illness that can sometimes be fatal. Symptoms include: fever, muscle aches, headache, lack of energy, dry cough, sore throat, a runny nose and upset stomach (vomiting and diarrhoea). Sufferers can experience these symptoms for days or weeks. People can carry the flu virus and have no symptoms; passing it on and making others very sick. The flu can spread rapidly through schools and workplaces with those infected taking it home with them.

Who is most at risk of dying from the flu?

Influenza is potentially fatal for anyone however the most vulnerable are:

› Young children and infants › People aged over 65 years › Pregnant women and their unborn babies › People with certain pre-existing conditions

You may not be high risk but someone you know, love, work with or treat will be.

I keep hearing that there is no flu in Aotearoa New Zealand

There has been significantly less flu in 2020 and 2021 due in large part to the New Zealand response to COVID-19. A combination of lockdown, social distancing, closed borders and paying greater attention to personal and hand hygiene has seen a dramatic reduction in the number of flu cases. This does not mean that there is no risk of influenza in our community. The travel bubble bringing visitors from Australia means we are at risk of exposure. This risk applies all year, not just during the winter months.

Aren’t my COVID-19 precautions enough to protect me?

Regular handwashing, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, keeping surfaces clean, staying home if you’re sick and social distancing help, but not everyone is as responsible as you are! Your best protection and the most effective way to prevent the spread and keep others safe is to be vaccinated.

How does the vaccine work?

New Zealand’s 2021 flu vaccine protects against four strains of flu virus – two influenza type A strains and two influenza type B strains. The flu vaccine does not contain any live viruses, preservatives, thiomersal or mercury. It does contain harmless parts of the four flu strains that cause your immune system to react, making cells and antibodies to protect you against the viruses if you come into contact with them later. The flu vaccine will not give you the flu.

How effective is the vaccine?

It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to take effect in your body and around half to two thirds of vaccinated adults will be protected from contracting the virus. Significantly, although you can still catch the flu once you’ve had the jab, more than two thirds of vaccinated people who do contract the virus (including children and the vulnerable) will avoid serious illness and hospitalisation.

Could I have a bad response to the vaccine?

Most people have no adverse response to the flu vaccine. Some may experience a mild fever, muscle aches or a headache for one or two days. Occasionally the area around the vaccine site becomes red, swollen or sore for a couple of days. These are all common responses to the vaccine.

Free flu vaccinations will be available to all Canterbury DHB staff from Thursday 8 July. You can receive your vaccination from:

› An authorised vaccinator on your ward (ask your line manager or look out for notices) › A static clinic at a designated site somewhere in your division (look out for notices)

Can influenza vaccine be given to people with egg allergy or anaphylaxis?

Yes, the vaccine can be safely administered to people with a history of egg allergy or egg anaphylaxis.

What is the time required between having a COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine?

To minimise confusion with any associated reactions, a gap of two weeks is recommended between having a COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine.

For more information, please refer to influenza.org.nz